Red-ink trail leads to conviction

Press, 27 August 1980, Page 4

Red-ink trail leads to conviction

A man who jumped from the roof of a city building into a vat of printers’ red ink after seeing a police van, and then ran through a vehicle firm’s premises, leaving a trail of ink over a carpet, pleaded guilty in the District Court yesterday to a charge of being unlawfully on premises. ■ The defendant, Colin Bernard John Mihaka, aged 20, unemployed (Mr E. Bedo) was fined $5O on the charge of being unlawfully on premises, was ordered to pay compensation of $7O for damage caused to the carpet. A further charge of wilful damage to the carpet was withdrawn by the police, the prosecutor (Sergeant M. P. Caldwell) saying the defendant’s action in leaving a trail of red ink through the car firm’s premises was not considered wilful. The defendant also admitted two other offences relating to a separate incident on

June 6 when he was said to have hindered emergency services attending an accident. He had been strongly affected by liquor.

He was fined $lOO on a charge of disorderly behaviour and $6O for using, obscene language. ' ■■'■ Referring to the offence of being unlawfully on premises in Colombo Street, Sergeant Caldwell said the defendant' had run from a hotel after seeing a police van arrive. He had climbed on to a low roof and when descending had put a foot in the' printers’ ink, and then left, a trail through the nearby motor firm’s premises. Mr Bedo said the defendant was grossly affected by liquor and had the misfortune to step into the ink. The Judge said it was obvious the defendant was a perfect pest when he drank too much. He should spend less money on liquor.